Secure and Sustainable? Unveiling the Impact of the Russian War on EU Energy Governance

The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has brought EU energy security to the forefront of the agenda, leading to a potential shift away from climate objectives. Our contribution provides a preliminary assessment of the first eighteen months of EU reactions to the war and discusses its transformative effect on EU energy policy. Short-term responses of European Member States indicate a “security first” approach, including the reactivation of coal-fired power stations and the substitution of Russian gas with liquefied natural gas (LNG) delivered by sea. This approach has resulted in increased prices in global energy markets and the risk of missing climate targets, thereby underscoring the necessity of increased European coordination and cooperation. Despite initial downgrading tendencies, the war has actually fostered greater coherence between energy security and climate goals. Notably, the development of green hydrogen could act as a catalyst for Europe's energy transition, strengthening the European Green Deal. Nevertheless, both emergency legislation and EU energy legislation face difficulties. Emergency measures bypass parliamentary scrutiny, raising concerns about legitimacy, while EU energy legislation lacks the power to influence national energy policies. The need for stronger governance is evident as targets are raised, necessitating the inclusion of harder elements in energy legislation.